The Rolex Forums   The Rolex Watch

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX

Old 9 March 2017, 09:39 PM   #1
Wools
"TRF" Member
 
Wools's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 374
Opinions on Hamilton

I'm considering buying a Hamilton watch so thought I would ask one of the most knowledgeable places on the internet!

I have loved watches all my life but through financial considerations, I've only ever brought Quartz. With my first serious job role, I treated myself to a Seiko diver and a few years later, a Seiko chronograph. Early last year, I had a pay rise so got my as then dream watch, the Tag Heuer F1 McLaren.

Now here's my dilemma: I have chatted here previously about wanting an Omega Seamaster 300 or a Rolex Submariner but that idea will be put on hold till next year. However, on a holiday in London this week, I saw a Hamilton Kharki for sale and fell in love with it. It looked beautiful, has a Swiss ETA movement, costs around £400 and after reading up on their history, love the feel of Hamilton.

So here's my question. Are Hamilton looked fondly upon, are they well made, realisable and would it be a good idea for me to sell my Tag, buy the Hamilton and enjoy it till next year when I may flip it for a Rolex or Omega? It could be a great introduction to mechanical watches with a stunningly priced piece.
Wools is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 9 March 2017, 10:29 PM   #2
statsman
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Arlington, TX
Posts: 394
Hamilton and Elgin were two US watchmakers with a great history. They started out as Pocket Watch makers, and when the advent of the railroad required better accuracy in keeping time, their pocket "railroad" watches met the challenge.

In the 20th century, their approach to wrist watches was to tier their ranges from inexpensive and crude entry level watches to beautiful, gold (up to) 25 jewel pieces. Then came the electric watches. Hamilton had some extremely magnificent electric watches.

The Quartz advent shattered the US Watch industry. Elgin and Hamilton were bought by Swiss, and Elgin later sold to Chinese. Modern Hamiltons are quality Swiss watches while Elgins are cheap throwaways.

Oh, but for what once was...check out vintagehamilton.com (I don't think the rules allow me to link, as that site sells vintage watches) for views of restored vintage Hamiltons, Elgins and Walthams from the '30s to '50s.

As for your dilemma- I'm an old guy. The advice I have for young guys (like you) is that a man should know for himself what whisky, women or watch he likes, and not worry what others think (myself, Inhave determined that the presence of grain alcohol in better Johnny Walker blends spoils my appreciation for them not one whit). If you really like the Hamilton, trust your judgment. You are right.
statsman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10 March 2017, 01:42 AM   #3
Wools
"TRF" Member
 
Wools's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 374
Thanks for the history of Hamilton and thoughts about what to choose Stats Man!

I'm almost sold on the Hamilton. I'm currently talking to a pre-owned watch specialist here in the UK who are interested in my Tag Heuer and doing some last minute reading on Hamilton Khaki and the ETA 2824-2 movement.

I think I'm going for it! :)
Wools is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10 March 2017, 03:05 AM   #4
scarlet knight
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: USA
Watch: Good ones
Posts: 8,109
My Hamilton Jazzmaster Viewmatic

IMG_7008.jpg
scarlet knight is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10 March 2017, 03:06 AM   #5
scarlet knight
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: USA
Watch: Good ones
Posts: 8,109
I like current Hamiltons. Good bang for the buck. The Khaki is great.
scarlet knight is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10 March 2017, 03:13 AM   #6
JSI
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Toronto
Watch: 116610
Posts: 108
The Khaki is a classic field watch. I've got the 44mm version and it is a great watch especially for the money.
__________________
Instagram: Jeremy_S_I0123
JSI is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10 March 2017, 03:23 AM   #7
Rockrolex
TRF Moderator & 2024 Patron
 
Rockrolex's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2005
Real Name: God
Location: Washington, D.C.
Watch: What do you think?
Posts: 37,472
I've had a Hamilton GMT for at least a year (that I bought from a TS here) and so far it's kept perfect time. I love it. Here it is:

__________________
Despite the high cost of living, it's still very popular.

Tosser Cabinet Member

Official Member: 'Perpetual 30' Vegas International GTG 2016
Official Member "WIS-CON" Las Vegas International GTG 2017
Official Member "WIS-CON" Las Vegas International GTG 2018
Official Member "WIS-CON" Las Vegas International GTG 2019
Rockrolex is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10 March 2017, 04:16 AM   #8
Wools
"TRF" Member
 
Wools's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 374
Wow, lovely to hear Rolex guys to be so positive about Hamilton! :)

This was the specific Khaki I saw in London.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg Hamilton London 2017.jpg (105.1 KB, 308 views)
Wools is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10 March 2017, 04:41 AM   #9
scarlet knight
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: USA
Watch: Good ones
Posts: 8,109
That Khaki model is one of my favorites. We bought one as a 30th bday present for a nephew. It is casual, but can also be worn with a suit. Seems timeless in style, no pun intended. And it is an affordable Swiss watch.
scarlet knight is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10 March 2017, 04:58 AM   #10
yessir69
2024 Pledge Member
 
yessir69's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2011
Real Name: Kevin
Location: Tornado Alley
Posts: 3,200
I think Hamilton makes a fine watch. Don't get caught up in the "in-house movement" garbage. For the money, they make a great watch.
yessir69 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10 March 2017, 05:59 AM   #11
scarlet knight
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: USA
Watch: Good ones
Posts: 8,109
My Khaki

Attachment 836743
Attached Images
File Type: jpg IMG_7400.jpg (74.4 KB, 289 views)

Last edited by scarlet knight; 10 March 2017 at 06:34 AM.. Reason: Better picture coming
scarlet knight is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10 March 2017, 07:13 AM   #12
Wools
"TRF" Member
 
Wools's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 374
Quote:
Originally Posted by scarlet knight View Post
Looks stunning! :)
Wools is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10 March 2017, 07:28 AM   #13
Flywheel
"TRF" Member
 
Flywheel's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Cleveland
Posts: 628
Best value on the lower end.
Flywheel is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10 March 2017, 07:31 AM   #14
GLADIATOR
"TRF" Member
 
GLADIATOR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Real Name: Adam
Location: Costa Blanca,
Watch: YMII,GMTII,DAYTONA
Posts: 5,288
Quote:
Originally Posted by Flywheel View Post
Best value on the lower end.
as he said
Its a good company making good watches' ETA movements
__________________
The truth is incontrovertible. Malice may attack it, ignorance may deride it, but in the end, there it is. Winston Churchill
"We judge ourselves by what we feel capable of doing, while others judge us by what we have already done."
GLADIATOR is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10 March 2017, 09:44 AM   #15
Urosfan
"TRF" Member
 
Urosfan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: NYC
Watch: Me now
Posts: 19,164
Def a nice watch for the money, a nice watch period
Urosfan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10 March 2017, 03:59 PM   #16
GreenRust
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Land of Guinness
Posts: 187
The Khaki models are great looking watches. Agree with others above that Hamilton are some of the best values out there (at the 'lower' end, price wise)

Also, have you checked out Longines? They also make some interesting 'vintage' inspired watches that are pretty cool - i.e. monopusher, column wheel chronographs. And they're also owned by the Swatch Group, so they benefit from that as well (price / value wise).
GreenRust is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10 March 2017, 10:30 PM   #17
regnant
"TRF" Member
 
regnant's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Close to Rolex AD
Posts: 3,474
I don't know whether it is more quality product over be it Tissot or Nomos but their creations are very cool. I was thinking of Ventura model but didn't buy it
__________________
http://s30.postimg.org/eykg4i271/A_Lange_Sohne_Movement.jpg
regnant is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10 March 2017, 11:04 PM   #18
1William
2024 Pledge Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: North Carolina
Watch: Rolex/Others
Posts: 44,325
I have always liked Hamilton and think that they are a value for what they are. Several of the models have great appeal to me and many dealers will discount. Second hand market is not strong but at what you can get the watches for I don't know that they are not keepers. They introduced a new two dial chronograph pre-basel which is sharp. My AD is getting one so I can see.
1William is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10 March 2017, 11:48 PM   #19
jamesh
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Hong Kong
Posts: 219
Beautiful watch - and I do like the Hamilton history.

Just to throw a cheeky idea out there (seeing as you l also like Seiko);

Seiko SNZG13 (~$125)

Seiko-SNZG13-Leather-Strap.jpg
(Photo courtesy of the internet)

Very similar aesthetic, in-house automatic movement, quarter of the price..

And save the money for the Rolex ;)
jamesh is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11 March 2017, 12:50 AM   #20
_speedmaster_
"TRF" Member
 
_speedmaster_'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Earth
Posts: 2,443
Big Hamilton fan here.
A Khaki QNE was my second ever watch purchase (first being a Citizen Eco Drive which I still own). I've had that QNE for over 6 years now, still keeps great time and has never once given me any issues. Sentimental favorite of mine and I'll never get rid of it.

I also own an x-copter and a jazz master (gift from the wife). Both of those still work great as well.

For the lower-end spectrum, I don't think you can do better than Hamilton or Seiko.
_speedmaster_ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13 March 2017, 05:25 AM   #21
Wools
"TRF" Member
 
Wools's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 374
Many thanks for all the help and advice, it was all much appreciated!

I had a real change of heart when I took a browse at watches today and I pulled the trigger on the first watch I was interested in (Underneath the Explorer II, Submariner and Seamaster) which was the Oris Big Crown Pro Pilot. I'm smitten!

It's my first ever mechanical watch so it'll take some time of getting used to but I'm looking forward to making some memories with it. :)
Attached Images
File Type: jpg Oris Big Crown Pro Pilot.jpg (93.8 KB, 208 views)
Wools is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13 March 2017, 10:09 AM   #22
scarlet knight
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: USA
Watch: Good ones
Posts: 8,109
Oris makes nice watches for value. Keep the Khaki on your radar.
scarlet knight is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 22 March 2017, 02:05 AM   #23
spe777
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2017
Real Name: Steve E.
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 14
I love Hamilton. Even though they're no longer American made, they're an American brand with a rich history and many great looking models at very affordable prices.
spe777 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Takuya Watches

Bobs Watches

My Watch LLC

OCWatches

DavidSW Watches

Coronet


*Banners Of The Month*
This space is provided to horological resources.





Copyright ©2004-2024, The Rolex Forums. All Rights Reserved.

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX

Rolex is a registered trademark of ROLEX USA. The Rolex Forums is not affiliated with ROLEX USA in any way.